Why Tuchel slammed ref after Chelsea’s UCL elimination

What a game. What a game. Chelsea can hold their collective heads, staff and players, as high as any English club who have excelled in European competition. Real Madrid were rocked by a Blues team that were as well drilled by Thomas Tuchel as they were well briefed. Only a few instances of carelessness from CFC and some uniquely irreplaceable inspiration from Madrid stars such as Luka Modric and Karim Benzema saved the Spaniards from crashing out. The Londoners did not ‘crash out’ at all: their combative elegance drew admiration from the entire footballing world. And that includes the Croatian icon himself. Modric said that the Pensioners are the toughest outfit he has ever faced in the Champions League. In a further side note which proves the amazing lengths ‘Chels’ went to in order to be triumphant: they were the first outfit from England to score three goals versus Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium since 1968.

Now that the dust has settled, it feels like an easier and clearer time for match analysis. Tuchel was widely praised for his match plan. In addition, his players were commended for executing the aims admirably, in totally committed fashion. A relative miracle in Spain was approximately 10 minutes away from transpiring. A very contentious and difficult video assistant refereeing call also could have gone either way, as Marcos Alonso again almost showcased his goalscoring prowess from a wingback area. Tactically the German gaffer called it correctly with Reece James as a right centreback and Ruben Loftus-Cheek offering support on that flank and in midfield. There is discussion over what the formation actually was, but that is because the setup appeared to be interchangeable from three to four in defence whether defending or attacking. An adaptable hybrid which Pride of London will explain further in evaluation to come.

Why Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel slammed the referee following Champions League elimination versus Real Madrid

Now, Tuchel was not being a sore loser here whatsoever, but he did justifiably heavily criticise Polish referee Szymon Marciniak from the quarterfinal clash. While remaining graceful in defeat, the former Paris Saint-Germain gaffer was not pleased with what he saw after the final whistle, as opposed to within the 120 minutes. Due to his side’s heroic, battling spirit and elimination from the tournament, Tuchel was proud. Nonetheless, he was unhappy about witnessing Marciniak ‘smiling as well as laughing’ with Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti immediately subsequent to the outcome.

Tuchel accused the ‘ref’ of having a good time with his fellow manager, Ancelotti, at an inappropriate moment. And quite rightly, too. Regardless of the Italian being a particularly “nice guy” they can wait until behind closed doors to be overly congratulatory. Tuchel was quoted as suggesting the timing was all wrong, and felt compelled to promptly inform the referee of how he felt. This contrast in behaviour between the two, coupled with Tuchel’s honesty and integrity, will endear him more to an already adoring Chelsea fan base already, on the whole.

This particular official has apparently been in trouble before and was consequently forced to retire, according to CFC Daily. Furthermore, the Blues boss was also mightily disappointed that the ref failed to check the monitor when VAR ruled out the Alonso goal.